Day 9

April 18 th.

Finish mileage   120,893
Start mileage    120,633
Total miles for the day 260 miles
Total miles for ride so far 2952

Up this morning to make breakfast but someone took forever to get up so I could start cooking breakfast. But do not fear breakfast was made and some of the new bread  baked yesterday was toasted. It was goooooood!

So off to Sedona we went. first stopping for gas then onto Loop 101. A great highway going north so far and then turning East, finally running South through the East side of town back to the US 10 highway. Once on Loop 101 motorcycles are permitted to run on the HOV lanes. No traffic on HOV lanes. Still have to run at the regulated speed but still no traffic to fight. Getting off Loop at I 17 and heading North towards Flagstaff. About 116 mile ride. It was warm and windy due to that warmth. The ride was fun and no issues at all. Someone ran into a swarm of bugs but I just didn't notice. Wes was covered with bug splatters. My Goldwing on  the other hand prevented me from noticing the bugs due to my windshield. Wes is on  a sport bike with no shield to  speak off.

A few pictures of Sedona

 As you can easily see the views are spectacular. What interesting terrain.

We left Sedona to come home the same route. While leaving, the traffic coming into Sedona was backed up for a mile or more of bumper to bumper traffic. The town has put in round a bouts and dismantled their red lights, they have only two lanes of traffic so as not to look overly commercialized. The two lane road and round a bouts keep the amount of cars that can get into town down to a minimum.

On the way back we stopped at the Scenic Outlook area.

Now back in Phoenix for a final night before hitting the road. Laundry to do and blogging to catch up on. Then off to bed at an early hour. Still lagging some from all the travel. 

Plans for trip home start with a stop at Shangra La Nudist Resort just outside of town. Then on to the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forrest, Painted Dessert, in New Mexico (Spaceport, Alamogordo, Roswell), Pawhuska OK,
Fort Knox and maybe find  a bourbon distillery for a tour. Then who knows.

TTFN

Day 8

April 17 th

No mileage today. Rest and recuperation is the order of the day.

Up early to fix breakfast of bacon and eggs. Made bacon in microwave, eggs in cast iron skillet I found in the oven. Cast iron is great!

Wes and I visited his gym this morning. Had a great workout, 35 minutes on cycle machine and about 30 minutes doing strength exercises on the fancy machines there. This place, LifteTime Fitness. It is typical Phoenix. A hugh two story building with racket ball, squash court, basked ball, hot tub, sauna, climbing wall you name it its got it. Boy did  I need to have a workout. My ankles were swollen and I was walking stiffly. Riding that bicycle sure takes away many aches and pains. When finished I felt great, tired but great.

Activities today were almost all centered on culinary activities. First as above mentioned was of course breakfast. Then Wes was dying to make a chicken on his Traeger Smoker. In about an  hour and 10 minutes the bird was ready for  the table. It was succulent and delicious. An additional salad and  that was lunch. Later, Wes planned on making Jalapeno Poppers for the Avondale PD department. First you core out the Jalapeno peppers, then make a cheese mixture, stuff the peppers with the cheese mixture and add a beef sausage miniature, wrap in bacon and add a tooth pick. Cook on the Traeger Smoker for about an hour and  a half at smoking temperature. Then turn the heat up to crisp up the bacon.

While this was cooking we went shopping for some items for Wes's kitchen. First a cutting board, rubber spatula, cooking twine, sponges and most importantly a cast iron Dutch Oven. It just happens to  be sold at Walmart and is made in the USA. Yeah! Walmart.

Bake home to season the DO some and prep the Know Knead  bread that was started yesterday. Once the poppers were finished Wes delivered them to Avondale PD and the cast iron DO was preheated in the Traeger Smoker. After 30 minutes preheat the dough was plopped into the hot DO and placed in the smoker at 450 degrees with the lid on to make the dough steam in the DO. Then the lid is removed and the bread baked another 15 minutes or so till the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when hit. Just like when you test a watermelon or cantaloupe for ripeness. Remove bread and  set out to cool completely before cutting and enjoying delicious bread.
Before and after.

After  to follow when bread is baked.

Looks a little lite in color but sounds like it should. First time in a Traeger Smoker. Will taste once it is cooled.

TTFN

Day 7

April 16 th.

Finish mileage  120,633
Start mileage    120,563
Total miles for the day 70 miles
Total miles for ride so far 2692

Today is the ride into the GWRRA Home Office.

Was up early to get myself ready to ride there. Did a load of laundry, made breakfast for my host and I. Dressed in sneakers (this felt really great after the past days riding in my clod hoppers with steal toes), long sleeve white Gold Wing shirt to protect the arms from the sun, the bright yellow sleeveless shirt for great visibility. The ride to the Home Office was up the 101 by  pass. Motorcycles are allowed in the HOV lanes so my ride for 22 miles was unencumbered  by traffic.

Arrived at the very last minute. But still  in time for the sign in and other things. Seems this event is an all day thing but I just couldn't manage to be there all  day. Refreshments were available to all. Some shopping for a 40 to  Phoenix T-shirt and then a group picture. Time to hit the road again. 

Did  some Walmart shopping on the way back to Wes's house. Then to making lunch for us both. Sauteed two chicken breast halves, some seasonings allowing them to  finish cooking. Add to this tortillas, lettuce, cucumber, cheese, green chilly sauce or some Asian Sesame dressing (sort of Asian/Mexican food).

After lunch off to bed for a nap. Later up and blogging, trying to catch up from being too busy for two days to blog is tough when you head is still spinning from all the riding done in the past several days. But no fear, here is the blog post for today. Just supper tonight, BBQ ribs and bed again.

TTFN  

Day 6

April 15 th

Finish mileage  120,563
Start mileage    120,026
Total miles for the day 537 miles
Total miles for ride so far 2622
Start time today 7:30 am 
Finish time today 7:00 pm 

Last day to ride into Phoenix from Moriarty New Mexico. A very long day after a very long day yesterday.

Once again it is dry,  thank you for small favors like this.We road on I 40 from Moriarty to Gallup New Mexico. Then took route 77 and then route 60 into Phoenix and I 10.

When we turned off I 40 at Gallup to ride on a nice two lane road. Well all except for a  short piece trying to taking a short cut to Pie Town that turned into a dirt road. The scenery was beautiful if you like dry, grassy, sometimes flat and sometimes rolling terrain. Most of us were saying how gorgeous it was riding this back road to Phoenix. We even, way out here ran into a road crew and had to stop for the flagman while a truck came to our aid to lead us through the road work. Shortly after it was discovered that a wheel on one of our trailers was wobbling when rolling slowly. After  stopping to test the lugs on the trailer wheels we found that the lugs were 1/4 to 1/2 of a turn loose. The driver was most appreciative that the wobble was noticed. Turns out he had taken the wheels off so he could repack the bearings this winter and thought the lugs were tight. This could have been very bad if the wheel came off.

The group found a road sign stating Pie Town was 29 miles away. Only 9 miles of those were out of our way. We all turned towards Pie Town. This place has a history that can be read here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pie_Town,_New_Mexico

There are only two places open this early in the season. Stopping at the second business proved that only pie was to be had there. Most of the riders were interested in food not dessert. We drove back to a place we past on the way into town.

It was a very nice place with room for about 30 people. A half pound cheeseburger with real fresh french fires was delicious. After lunch it was back in the saddle and on to the Salt River Canyon.d

Our leader advised once we got into the Salt River Canyon to just meander along and take all the pictures we would like. The road only goes one way and he would wait for all of us.  So here are a few pictures of the Canyon.

 Charlie from Lewisberry area back home in PA.

Prior to entering the Canyon there were road signs warning of an accident on the road through the canyon. Here is a shot of us waiting for the flagman to let us through. There was a refuge semi hauling several containers and a car must have come around a curve to fast hitting the trailer and the car or the trailer burst into flames. It was a mess and they will be cleaning up for some time.

Eventually out of the Canyon and on toward Phoenix. We stopped in Globe, Az to fill up to make the final run into the valley of the  Sun. Finally on I 10 the group continuing on went to the hotel up I 17 and I continued on to Avondale and Wes's house for some well needed  rest. Unfortunately I remembered needing to wash the bike before settling in for the night. So Wes and I washed  my very filthy black Goldwing. It looked  real good after  we were done.

We went out to the Angry Crab for supper. Steamed craw dads and shrimp in Cajun sauce with several potatoes and sausages. Really great meal.

Home to bed and a good nights sleep.

TTFN

Day 5

April 14 th

Finish mileage  120,026
Start mileage    119,483
Total miles for the day 543 miles
Total miles for ride so far 2085
Start time today 7:30 am 
Finish time today 4:00 pm 

Started the day in El Reno, OK.

It was a dry day, yeah! But a little chilly in the morning. Dressed warmly on the bike as usual for early morning starts. Had checked the weather before leaving this morning to discover it would be a dry day today. Running from El Reno to Amarillo, Tx would be a nice ride. There were plenty of wind mills all over the place. Texas rates number one in the amount of windmills in US. Rick Perry is real proud of that fact. i just hope they are cost effective and not a boondoggle like the Ethanol mistake. Neither of these methods of making or extending our energy supply would make any money on their own. But with government subsides the company's can make a profit. Without subsides they would never have seen the light of day.Now I will get off my soap box.

After getting through Amarillo, TX a stop at the famous Cadillac Ranch was required. 

 Wikipedia states this was an art project. I guess?
Some of the riders and their rigs in this group.

Moving on to Tucumcari while riding next to the old Route 66 the group had to stop to see some of the old buildings still there from the glory days of Route 66. Unfortunately the town looks just like you would think, a town that time had past by. Buildings were looking old and  dirty, not newly painted or wonderfully maintained but a town that last century was very exciting and noisy. Today it is a little sleepy and old  looking. There is a nice memorial to the old Route 66, see some shots below.

 We all pulled in to have our pictures taken but suddenly discovered that the numbers were reversed. Pictures should be taken from the other side of the monument.

 Now we get a picture from the correct side so the numbers read correctly. Notice the wind mill in the background.

On we ride to Moriarty New Mexico and tonight's diner put on by the local chapter of GWRRA. It was a Mexican themed diner with enchiladas as the main course. The food was very tasty. For us all to get to diner everyone was instructed to meet at the last rest stop prior to Moriarty to line up for a ride into town with a police escort. We were told that a TV station would cover the event and the Mayor would proclaim the day as Goldwing day in Moriarty New Mexico. The police showed up but the rest did not. We all rode into town to the local school. All  bikes were lined up in a bunch for a  group photo. It looked pretty impressive.

 I tried to find a shot taken by the local chapter people who were on a very tall ladder in the back of a pickup truck. I am sure the view there would have been impressive. You would see that in the six or seven years this ride has been run, it has grown to from four or five riders to over  125 bikes at this event.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8Er4FFEQ8I
After the ceremonies were over it was time to go back to the hotel. We had all previously checked in but did not have time to move our duds into the room. We all meandered back while stopping for  gas so we could ride the next day. Mean time silly me, the Circle K clerk said to get beer one would  have to go up two blocks to a package store. They would only be open for another 30 minutes. Upon hearing that I proceeded to drive the two blocks. The business was on the right but the parking lot was not lite and the lot was gravel. I rode in and proceeded to run into a hugh pot hole that was big enough for my Goldwing to drive into but not come back out without stalling. Needless to say I was tossed around a good bit but still in the saddle. The bike of  course went down on the left side. I just shook my head and  said that this must be an omen that I ought not get any alcohol tonight. I got off the bike and proceeded to lift it back upright just as the You Tube video's show. Follow this link for video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8Er4FFEQ8I

 I was surprised that it was not very difficult at all. Hoping on the bike it started right up. Then driving up out of the hole the trailer followed along into  and out of the hole. Back on the road and back to the hotel. WOW!!!! 

After all this excitement a good nights rest was looked forward to. Sometimes us old farts need to  take it easy. Sometimes we just don't know when to quit. I saw the light this night.

TTFN

Day 4

April 13th

Finish mileage   119,483
Start mileage    119,123
Total miles for the day 360 miles
Total miles for ride so far 1542
Start time today 6:30 am 
Finish time today 4:12 pm 

Meeting up with my new group at 6:30 am to leave early so the leader can arrive at Russellvile Honda first due to needing warranty repairs on his new trick. He bought it in Arkansas last year even though he lives in Tampa FL. Must have gotten a great deal. 

Did you know that Motorcycle businesses are not normally open on Mondays. They opened just for us with sales and service available. Our leader did not get in right a way so he advised two of us  to go ahead and join another group, he would be up to 3 hours waiting on his repairs. 

Joined up with Tom White and Charlie Bleyer from our local area in PA. The ride to Shawnee OK would be 200 miles. Just as soon as we left Russellvile it started to rain. It continued to to  rain for six hours. Sometimes pouring and then some times slower. Then the wind hit us an blew the bikes sideways. Most of us, no, all of us were soaked to the bone. We all commented that our water proofed items were completely soaked  through and through. 

One of our riders had some problems with water in his gas so he and Tom road together at a slower pace and  the majority of us rode on as a group. There were some issues with people not riding as safely as they ought to. The rain, wind and visibility issues was a factor to consider but our riding line did  present safety issues. 

Stopped for gas about 100 miles into ride to Shawnee. All visited the restroom after filling up the bikes. Bikes are a lot like horses, you have to take care of them first. Most changed clothes if they were able. I changed jackets and put on my rain slicker. Back on the bikes and 100 miles to Shawnee, OK. More rain, but this time I am warmer due to the clothing changes. Arrived at Shawnee Honda.

This was a nice place with a hugh inventory of Honda's. They had hot pizza and hot coffee. The lady's from the local GWRRA chapter were  declared angels. They informed us that the dealer purchased the pizzas since they did not want to cook hamburgers and hot dogs in the rain. Good for them. 

As we all ate we saw more and more groups arrive at the dealership. Finally Tom White and the rider with issues arrived, Jeff the leader from my first group also arrived. Charlie and I were going to lead the remaining group to the hotel but once Tom arrived we all wanted to wait for him to lead us the rest of  the way. Yeah! Tom.

At the hotel everyone wanted to check in quickly and take a good hot shower. Once accomplished it was off to the local VFW who host a diner for the 40 to Phoenix ride every year. It was only four miles away and we arrived quickly.

The food was great! Chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes gravy and other veggies. Salad with corn bread and of course dessert. All the mentioned food was extremely tasty and hot. After eating there were some ceremonies and a  ride meeting. Back to the hotel and arrangements were made for tomorrow mornings meet time. 

BTW, the horses had to be feed so they could sleep well and be ready for a long ride tomorrow. Also found some beer and free ice at the convenience store. Beer is good food.

Tomorrow off to New Mexico and some very neat views of Route 66 along the way.

TTFN 

Day 3

April 12th

Finish mileage 119,123
Start mileage    118,738
Total miles for the day 385 miles
Total miles for ride so far 1182
Start time today 9:00 am 
Finish time today 2:30 pm

Up this morning at 5:00 am to hit the Fitness Center before riding today. After two days on the bike just sitting there and a lousy experience yesterday in Kingsport Fitness Center I needed to have some work for my diabetic legs and feet to do. Thank heavens for a Garmin GPS. Entered the address in and hit the road at 6:00 am. About 15 miles later the Anytime Fitness Center looked real good. No one was there so I used my FOB to open the members door. Nice looking place with Schwinn equipment. Found a recumbent bike with a fan and hand levers to move as  you pedal. Man what a work out. After 20 minutes I was  sweating,  my heart rate must have been in the 128 BPM area or higher. Figuring out the digital read out just didn't fit into my forte. Several regular strength exercises felt real good.  

BTW, these two cartoons were on the bulletin board at the fitness center

Back to the hotel and a filling breakfast. Brought in my own fruit since most economy hotels do not provide fruit. Hit the room and took another  shower. Packed my duds and loaded  the bike. 

Back on the road again. Had gas from yesterday so the distance was ready to be accomplished. Nice morning, warmer than yesterday. Still wore jacket with wind block shell and the quilted  lining. Road for an hour and stopped for coffee and a pit stop. Time to take off the shell and clothes. Back on the road for another while until my rear could  sit no more and the bike said it was thirsty. Coffee hit the spot and was very refreshing. Back on the road  after gas fill up. 

Ran through Nashville with out much difficulty. Did I mention I love my Garmin GPS? Much to my suprise I discovered the little red E stating I  was  running out of gas was showing. Managed  to fine a station and filled up. The gas tank took 5.7 gallons, the tank holds 6.6 gallons. I could have gone further but just call me chicken. 

Back on the road reaching Conway Arkansas, the stop for the night.

Pulled into the hotel to a cheering crowd. It  was around 2:30 pm but already there were some 30 or so Goldwings there. Pulled into a parking spot that would be used over night, now way was the bike being moved until morning. For some reason I must have looked  hungry, the local GWRRA chapter had two hugh smokers working. 

Well, turning down hot and delicious food was not going to happen. First one through the line  was breaking the ice for the other riders. While eating  Charlie and Tom, two friends from our home chapter arrived. They too got food as soon as they could. It was really hot, around 82 and we were all out in the sun. I might have gotten some sun tan.

After a while someone was telling us there was a meeting for all riders. Turns out there was a group photo op, 50/50 drawing. Found out who the  ride lead is for my group that organizes here in Arkansas. We will be meeting at 6:30 am tomorrow morning to ride together to our first stop.

Time now for blogging and then shower and  the wonderful bed that is sitting behind me calling my name.

Well you know what I will be doing soon,

TTFN